Qinghe also nodded politely; this person seemed to not be fond of talking, finishing with just three words.
Having restrained herself for half a day, Fang Xiaoyang could no longer hold back. She had been eager to make a good impression to redeem her previous image, which is why she hadn't spoken up until now. But seeing Brother Yu, who never spoke to strangers, smiling and eagerly introducing himself to that woman, she couldn't bear it anymore.
"Brother Yu, why do we need to give her so much money? She's just a greedy fraud. Don't let her foxy looks deceive you. We should just leave the way we came. Why need her to guide us, and for one hundred and fifty million? Who knows why those two beasts ran away earlier? How can we say that she saved us? Look, she's even riding a wolf, and it's a noble Snow Wolf at that. This place is so strange; she might be some monster," Fang Xiaoyang rattled on like a machine gun, staring resentfully and jealously at the exceptionally beautiful person.
As soon as these words fell, the atmosphere, which had been relatively harmonious, instantly changed.
Cui Guangyu's face turned stern, his eyes filled with extreme dissatisfaction, yet he still maintained good manners, trying hard not to lose his temper: "Fang Xiaoyang, stop making a scene. This isn't your home. Keep your princess temper in check. Have you lost even the most basic manners? You insisted on coming here yourself, so now don't start throwing your temper around."
Zhao Qing smiled awkwardly. "Miss Qinghe, don't be angry, ah. She's just spoiled by her family. Her brother is our good friend, and we only brought her along this time because we had no choice but do it for her brother's sake."
The others nodded in agreement. Wen Wanwan, who had always disdained Fang Xiaoyang's affectations, was now unsparing: "Fang Xiaoyang, don't go too far. If you're so capable, why were you in such a sorry state earlier, groveling in pain? If it wasn't for Qinghe saving us, was it you who saved us? If you don't want to pay, then just leave by yourself, don't stick with us."
Qinghe, holding a handful of herbs, seemed utterly unconcerned as she handed them to Wanwan: "Chew them up and apply it to the wound. Fortunately, the tiger bites aren't deep—just some superficial injuries. There shouldn't be any problems."
Wen Wanwan showed no doubt, taking them and stuffing them into her mouth. Her little face immediately scrunched up—so bitter.
Qinghe smiled; these people indeed had some smarts, assessing the environment around them. They probably already realized they couldn't get out, which was why they agreed to pay the moment she mentioned it. In their minds, as long as they followed her with a Snow Wolf by her side, they wouldn't need to worry about wild animals.
She also didn't see the need to argue with an idiot, finding the situation not worth considering beyond the brief and painless exchange.
Seeing Qinghe still smiling as usual, the group felt reassured. They had long realized they were lost, having wandered around for ages without finding the way out, while Fang Xiaoyang still thought they were just continuing the adventure, completely oblivious to the actual situation.
Now that someone could lead them out and ensure they wouldn't be attacked by wild animals along the way, why wouldn't they agree? Besides, this girl was quite mysterious, looking like she had never gone out before, dressed like a wild person. Yet, communicating with her posed no problem at all, and she was as shrewd as a merchant.
Facing such an inscrutable person, the education they had received from childhood told them to befriend her if possible, and if not, at least not to offend her, especially since they now depended on her.
Fang Xiaoyang, having been chastised for no reason, was indignant, and what she found utterly unbearable was seeing disgust in the eyes of Brother Yu, whom she adored.
The blow from her beloved left Fang Xiaoyang utterly irrational, to the point that she, who was not often involved in arguments, couldn't even bring herself to argue back. She yelled uncontrollably, "I'm not being ridiculous at all! What I'm saying is the truth, isn't it? How can you all be so sure that she can show us the way? For a girl to be alone in such a vast forest, even you have said it—this forest is full of dangers and has always been an undeveloped Primitive Forest. Even those who came here never returned alive. That's why we came here for an adventure. But how can she explain herself, dressed so strangely? Maybe she's just trying to look mysterious on purpose, planning to kidnap us."
Qinghe, after hearing this, was not angry. In fact, she was amused and quirked an eyebrow. These vases really made a fuss. Even on the brink of insanity, they spoke with such reason and even made some sense. If she suddenly ended up in a strange place and encountered something so odd, she would probably suspect that someone was out to harm her too.
However, now that she was the one suspected of harboring ill intentions, that was not exactly praiseworthy. Although she didn't want to stoop to arguing with these kids, being repeatedly insulted like this didn't feel too pleasant—this was her territory, after all.
Something fleeting flashed across Qinghe's dark, luminous eyes, but it was too quick for anyone to comprehend.
As Fang Xiaoyang continued to be unreasonably provocative, even Ouyang Chenxi, who was usually cheerful and sunny, was starting to feel displeased. Let alone the others. They were asking for help here. Even though they had agreed to pay, who knew what kind of person this mysterious girl was? If she really abandoned them, were they supposed to become food for the wild beasts?
Sure enough, their concerns soon materialized.
With a smirk that wasn't quite a smile, Qinghe stared at the brainless one: "Miss Fang is quite astute to have figured all that out. Since that's the case, it's time for the villain who got caught to make an exit, I suppose. With such a clever and capable Miss Fang, my assistance is surely unnecessary. It seems I've been meddling where I shouldn't have today."
After finishing her speech, Qinghe turned to the others with a faint smile: "Then, I'll take my leave. Farewell, everyone."
"Xiaoliu, let's go." As soon as she heard her beloved pet's command, Xiaoliu, who already didn't care for these people, turned and left, vanishing from their sight in the blink of an eye.
The rest looked at one another, then collectively towards the direction Qinghe left. To use a Snow Wolf as a mount, that was awesome. They wanted to stop her but couldn't; she was out of sight in an instant.
They had put aside many questions and hadn't voiced them earlier because they were seeking help and didn't understand the girl's temperament. But judging by her aura, she didn't seem like someone who would compromise for money. Being repeatedly accused like that, anyone would have had enough. It wasn't surprising that she walked away.
But now, after a quick glance amongst themselves, there was the problem: with her gone, what were they to do? The thought of possibly encountering more large, terrifying beasts darkened their faces instantly, as if scorched by a pot's bottom.
Wen Wanwan was so angry, she didn't know what to say, glaring at the person who had driven the guide away: "Fang Xiaoyang, you must be satisfied now. Since you're so capable, fine, you lead the way. If you don't manage to get us out of here today, I will strangle you to death myself. After all, countless people have died in this forest. We'll just say you were eaten by wild beasts upon returning. No one would be able to find me, and killing you would cost me nothing."
Hearing this, Fang Xiaoyang involuntarily shrank her neck in fear, not making a sound. This lunatic might actually do it. She had seen Wen Wanwan kill before, and she truly didn't dare provoke this tomboy who had grown up in the military.